Foreign policy of the Reagan administration

During the presidency of Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989, American foreign policy focused heavily on the Cold War. The Reagan administration aimed to reduce the influence of communist governments around the world. This led to the United States supporting groups fighting against communist rule in places like Afghanistan, Angola, and Nicaragua.

Reagan also had strong views about certain countries. By 1982, his team saw Libya, the Soviet Union, and Cuba as major challenges to peace.

In the Middle East, Reagan’s time was marked by big changes. The United States pulled troops out of Lebanon after a dangerous attack. The 1979 Iran hostage crisis made relations with Iran difficult, and during the Iran-Iraq War, the U.S. supported Iraq.

One of the most talked-about events during Reagan’s second term was the Iran-Contra affair. This involved secret arms sales to Iran to fund groups in Latin America fighting against communist forces, which caused a lot of debate.

Many believe Reagan’s policies helped weaken the Soviet Union. After he left office, many countries in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union itself moved away from communist rule, changing the world’s balance of power.

Appointments

Reagan's foreign policy team included important leaders like George H. W. Bush, William J. Casey, Robert McFarlane, George Shultz, and Caspar Weinberger. These people helped shape the United States' relationships with other countries during Reagan's time as president.

Eastern Europe and the USSR

Further information: Reagan Doctrine and Rollback

Ronald Reagan had strong friendships with important leaders around the world, especially Margaret Thatcher in Britain and Brian Mulroney in Canada. Together, they worked to support freedom and democracy and to stand up to the Soviet Union during the final years of the Cold War.

Reagan changed the way the United States dealt with the Soviet Union. Instead of trying to relax tensions, he decided to confront the Soviet Union more directly. His plan included making it harder for the Soviet Union to get advanced technology, cutting down the value of Soviet goods worldwide, spending more on U.S. defense, and pushing the Soviet Union to spend more on its own defense. The biggest sign of this was a large buildup of American military power.

Reagan also supported groups fighting against communist governments. His administration helped anti-communist fighters in places like Afghanistan, Angola, and Nicaragua. In Afghanistan, U.S. forces trained and equipped groups fighting the Soviet Army during the Soviet–Afghan War. Reagan believed these efforts helped weaken the Soviet Union. He also imposed economic sanctions on Poland when its government cracked down on a workers' movement.

Reagan introduced many new military plans, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which he called a way to make nuclear war impossible. Some people called it "Star Wars" and thought it was too expensive and wouldn’t work, but Reagan used it to push the Soviets in talks.

Reagan spoke strongly about the Soviet Union, calling it an “evil empire” in a speech in 1983. He believed communism would eventually end and said so in speeches to the British Parliament. Later, when Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union in 1985, Reagan changed his tone and began negotiating with him. Gorbachev introduced reforms called perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) to fix the Soviet economy.

In a famous speech at the Berlin Wall in 1987, Reagan challenged Gorbachev to “tear down this wall!” This moment is remembered as one of Reagan’s most powerful statements. As Gorbachev worked to change his country, Reagan supported him, hoping the Soviet Union would adopt freer ways of living. By the time Reagan left office, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union had eased, and the Cold War was coming to an end.

Asia

China

Ronald Reagan first supported Taiwan but later agreed to continue friendly relations with the People's Republic of China. He promised Taiwan support through the "Six Assurances" and worked with China on important issues. When Reagan visited China in 1984, he was welcomed warmly.

Reagan also supported plans for space travel, allowing American satellites to be launched using China's Long March rockets. Some people thought this might slow down America's own space programs, but the plan continued for many years.

Japan

The United States and Japan had many trade problems during Reagan's time in office. Japan made many cars and other products, and some people in America worried that American companies couldn't keep up. In 1981, Japan agreed to limit how many cars they sent to America each year.

Pakistan and India

Pakistan was an important friend for the United States during this time because it helped fight against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. The United States gave Pakistan money and weapons, including helicopters and airplanes.

India had a slower relationship with the United States at first but tried to buy some American technology for its military. By the late 1980s, both countries worked harder to improve their friendship.

Afghanistan

When Reagan became president, Soviet forces had entered Afghanistan. Reagan wanted to stop the Soviets, so he supported Afghan fighters called the mujahideen. The United States sent them many weapons and money through a secret operation called Operation Cyclone. The Soviet troops finally left Afghanistan in 1989.

Cambodia

Reagan also wanted to help people in Cambodia who were fighting against Vietnamese forces. He gave secret help to some groups there, but these groups included people with very bad human rights records. Reagan hoped this help would end the Vietnamese control of Cambodia.

Indonesia and East Timor

Indonesia, led by General Suharto, took control of East Timor in 1975. Reagan continued to sell weapons to Indonesia even though there were reports of human rights problems there.

Philippines

The United States kept strong ties with the Philippines because of important military bases there. Reagan supported the leader of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, even when there were accusations of bad actions by his government. When Marcos lost a fair election in 1986, the United States helped make sure power moved peacefully to the new leader, Corazon Aquino.

Western Europe and Poland

United Kingdom

President Reagan formed strong friendships with leaders around the world, especially Margaret Thatcher of Britain and Brian Mulroney of Canada. Though they were very different people, Reagan and Thatcher shared many beliefs. They both cared about creating jobs, cutting taxes, and building strong defenses against the Soviet Union. They believed in liberty and free markets, and in standing up to what Reagan called 'the evil empire.'

Holy See

The United States and the Vatican did not have formal diplomatic relations for many years. However, presidents sometimes sent special representatives to talk with the Pope about important world issues. In 1984, the U.S. and Vatican City finally agreed to establish diplomatic relations. The Senate approved William A. Wilson as the first U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. Some Protestant groups objected, saying it mixed church and state.

Poland

The United States supported the Solidarity movement in Poland, led by Lech Wałęsa. The Communist leader, Wojciech Jaruzelski, tried to control the country without help from the Soviet Union. In 1981, he cracked down on opposition groups. The U.S. protested but could not do much. After Jaruzelski banned labor organizations in 1982, Reagan placed economic sanctions on Poland. Eventually, other European countries did the same. Martial law ended in 1983. The Reagan administration secretly helped fund Solidarity and worked with the Pope to support forces opposed to Communism in Poland.

Middle East

Iran–Iraq War

Further information: United States support for Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War

When the Iran–Iraq War began after the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, the United States first stayed neutral. But as the war grew worse, the Reagan administration secretly stepped in to keep balance, mostly helping Iraq. They worried that Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini was more of a threat to peace than Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein. The U.S. thought an Iranian win might encourage Islamic fundamentalists in other countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait.

Later, the U.S. gave secret help to Iraq, including information and money. In 1988, Reagan ordered a naval attack on Iranian ships after an attack on a U.S. ship.

Israel

Israel became a "major non-NATO ally" in 1989, meaning it got more weapons and chances to buy from the U.S. defense market. The U.S. gave Israel about $3 billion each year and made a free trade deal in 1985. Things got tricky when Israel bombed a nuclear site in Baghdad, and the U.S. stopped sending some weapons. But overall, the U.S. still strongly supported Israel.

Iran–Contra affair

Main article: Iran–Contra affair

Some White House staff tried to bypass rules that stopped secret military help to groups fighting in Nicaragua. They sold arms to Iran and used the money to help these groups. President Reagan said he didn’t know about this plan but admitted he agreed to sell arms to Iran, hoping to free American hostages.

Lebanon

Main articles: Multinational Force in Lebanon and 1983 Beirut barracks bombing

In 1983, Reagan sent American troops to Lebanon to help prevent more fighting. But on October 23, 1983, a bombing killed many American service members. After this, Reagan pulled the troops out of Lebanon.

Libya

Main article: 1986 United States bombing of Libya

Relations between the U.S. and Libya were always tense during Reagan’s time. In 1986, after a bombing in Berlin that hurt American troops, Reagan ordered air strikes against Libya to stop their harmful actions.

Saudi Arabia

Reagan worked closely with Saudi Arabia to keep the country safe. The U.S. agreed to sell advanced weapons to Saudi Arabia, which helped strengthen their friendship. Reagan pushed hard for these sales, believing they were important for regional security.

Americas

President Reagan supported anti-communist governments in Guatemala and El Salvador, as well as groups called the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. He also watched democratic changes happen in places like Bolivia, Honduras, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Suriname.

When a fight broke out between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falklands islands in 1982, Reagan had to balance promises to both sides. In the end, the U.S. chose to support the United Kingdom.

Nicaragua

Reagan saw the government of Nicaragua as a problem. He gave help to groups called the Contras who tried to change the government there. This help was sent from nearby Honduras. The Contras were very harsh in their fight.

There were big arguments in the U.S. about helping the Contras. Some said it was wrong because of how the Contras acted. Others said it was needed to stop the government of Nicaragua from affecting other countries.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, Reagan wanted to stop a group called the FMLN from taking control. The U.S. helped the government there, but there were many concerns about how people were treated.

Guatemala

Reagan also supported the leader of Guatemala, even when there were serious concerns about how people were treated there.

Grenada

In 1983, the U.S. sent troops to the island of Grenada after the leader there was removed. Reagan said this was needed because Grenada was working too closely with other countries the U.S. did not trust. The fight was quick, but it caused some disagreement around the world.

1982 Falklands War

Main article: Falklands War

When Argentina and the United Kingdom fought over the Falklands islands in 1982, Reagan had to decide where to stand. The U.S. had promises to help both countries, but in the end, the U.S. chose to support the United Kingdom. This decision was made after careful discussion and helped the UK in their efforts.

Oceania

Australia

During the early 1980s, the Reagan administration wanted to use Australia for testing new long-range missiles. They asked to use the Tasman Sea as a target area because their current test ranges in the Pacific were not big enough. The previous Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, had agreed to help with monitoring the tests. However, the new Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, changed his mind and withdrew Australia from the testing program. He was pressured by parts of his party who opposed the missile tests and supported New Zealand's anti-nuclear policies.

Even with this disagreement, Australia kept its strong ties with the United States through the ANZUS treaty, which is a security agreement between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Australia also continued to allow US Navy ships to visit its ports and work together on military exercises, unlike New Zealand.

New Zealand

In the mid-1980s, New Zealand's new Prime Minister, David Lange, decided that no nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships could enter New Zealand waters. This was because of concerns about the dangers of nuclear weapons, ongoing nuclear testing in the South Pacific, and disagreements with US policies during the Cold War. Because of this decision, the United States could no longer confirm whether its ships carried nuclear weapons, so New Zealand refused to let any US Navy ships into its ports.

This created big problems between the United States and New Zealand, especially because New Zealand was part of the ANZUS treaty with the United States and Australia. The Reagan administration felt that New Zealand's stance did not fit with its strong Cold War policies. As a result, the United States stopped some of its defense commitments to New Zealand until they allowed US Navy ships back into their ports. However, the United States still kept the ANZUS treaty active, hoping New Zealand might change its mind.

New Zealand passed a law in 1987 making the entire country a nuclear-free zone, but it stayed part of the ANZUS alliance. The United States continued its research program in Antarctica, flying military aircraft through Christchurch on the way to bases there.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Angola

Further information: Jonas Savimbi, Reagan Doctrine, and UNITA

During the time of President Ronald Reagan, Angola was experiencing a long and difficult war. The country was divided between groups supported by Western countries and others backed by communist nations. The Reagan administration helped anti-communist fighters in Angola called UNITA, led by Jonas Savimbi. This support included weapons and training. The help from the United States and its allies was important in challenging the communist forces in the region.

South Africa

Main article: South Africa under apartheid

South Africa, during Reagan’s time as president, followed a system called apartheid, which treated people unfairly based on their race. Reagan’s administration chose a policy called “constructive engagement,” meaning they talked with the government instead of using strong actions like sanctions. Many people, including famous activist Desmond Tutu, felt this was not enough and criticized Reagan for not doing more to stop apartheid. Later, Congress passed stronger laws against apartheid, but Reagan at first tried to avoid them.

Zaire

Further information: Mobutu Sese Seko

Mobutu Sese Seko, the leader of Zaire, had a friendly relationship with the Reagan administration. Mobutu visited the White House several times, and Reagan praised him publicly, even though there were concerns about how Mobutu treated people in his country.

Human rights

Reagan spoke about the tragic loss of many people during World War I, calling it a terrible event. He was the first U.S. president to use the word "genocide" to describe what happened to the Armenian people during that time.

In 1985, Reagan visited a cemetery in Germany to honor soldiers who had died in World War II. Some of the people buried there had been part of a harsh military group. Many people, including groups that work to stop unfair treatment, were upset about this visit. Because of the concern, Reagan also visited a place where many people had been unfairly treated during the war.

In 1986, the United States agreed to follow international rules about preventing groups of people from being hurt or killed, though there were some special conditions for the United States. This decision came after the visit to the cemetery and was seen as a way to respond to people's concerns.